Apparatus for removing tarnish from metals.



M. H. KEYT" APPARATUS FOR REMOVING TARNiSH FROM METALS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB 14, I913.

Patented May 18, 1915.

' electrolytically UNrrsD s'rnass raassr eerie MARSHALL H. KEYT, orouroaoo, ILLINOIS.

. APPARATUS FOR REMOVING TAENISTi-It FROM METALS.

cense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented allay 18, 1915.

Application filed February 14, 1913. Serial No. 748,340.

,metals, and the invention consists in the peculiar construction of acombined electrode and container which is adapted for use 1n thecleanlng'of silverware, surgical instruments and other articles havingtar- *nished surfaces.

- In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective View of the combinedelectrode and cont'ainer. Fig. 2' is a vertical section through I avessel containing the electrolyte, showing themanner of using theelectrode and .con-

tainer. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the removablb bottom of theelectrode and container detached. Fig. 4- is a cross section showing'themanner of supporting the removable bottom within the container and inelectrical connection therewith.

My improved apparatus is designed for use in simultaneously cleaningmetallic ar ticles such as table. silverware from food or dirt adheringthereto, and also removing the tarnish or corrosion on themetallicsurface. The electrolytic removal of the tarnish or corrosion hasheretofore been ac complished by immersing the articles to be brightenedin an electrolyte in contact with an anode of more electro-positivecharacter. It has been found in practice that this anode looses itsefiiciency in a short time due to the formation of an oxid on itssurface which prevents electrical contact between the same and thearticles to be cleaned and also interferes with the operation of theelectrolyte. .Therefore, to maintain the effi ciency of the'anode, itmust be frequently" removed and cleaned from corrosion. The cleaning maybe most effectively accomplished by scouring or treatmentwlth a diluteacid which has an affinity for the oxid, and a flat plate may be cleanedmore readily than a curved or bent surface. On the other hand, theelectrolytic action is increased iii-proportion to the extent in surfaceoithe anode and it is not essential that all portions of this extendedsurface should be entirely free from corrosion, if there is a portionhaving a bright surface for contact with the metallic articles to becleaned.

\Vith my improved apparatus, 1 have facilitated the brightening of theportion of the anode which is to, contact with the articles to becleaned by forming it as a fiat removable plate, while the surface ofthe anode is extended by side walls which also form abasket orreceptacle for the articles to be cleaned. All portions of this basketwill thus operate as an anode when immersed in the electrolyte, but itis only necessary to remove the corrosion from the fiat bottom platealone to restore efficiency whenever it is impaired.

In detail, A isa basket-like receptacle formed of an electro-positivemetal such as zinc, and which is provided with sides preferably havingperforations B therein.

C are handles secured to the sides and pro ecting upward therefrom sothat the operator may immerse and withdraw the basket from theelectrolyte without wetting his hands with the solution. v

D is the removable bottom plate of the anode, which is formed of thesame metal and is preferably perforated. This plate rests upon marginalflanges or ledges E" formed on the sides of the basket and may benormally held in position by 'suitable means such as the spring clips Fstruck out from the ends of the basket. These in normal position extendover the bottom and prevent it from displacment, but at any time 'byspringing outward the clips F the bottom may be removed.

One important object of my invention is to adapt the apparatus forsimultaneously operating electrolytically and for cleaning the articlesfrom foreign substances adher ing thereto such as the food upon. tablesilverware. This is accomplished by the formation of the basket withperforations through which the cleaning solution may freely flow, and byselecting as a cleaning agent a solution having the combined property ofa cleanser and an electrolyte, As it is not necessary for the operatorto place his hands in the'solution by reason of the handles C, thissolution may be used as hot as desirable.

In operation the soiled and tarnished articles to be cleaned andbrightened are first placed in the basket A, While the solution 'formingthe electrolyte and cleanser is placed in another receptacle G ofsufficient size to receive the basket. The basket may then be immersedin the solution and by raising and lowering it the liquid is caused toflow through the perforations and the interstices between the articlescontained in the basket so as to wash oil adhering portions of food. Atthe same time the elec-. trolytic action is taking place and all tarnishI is thereby decomposed leaving the bright metallic surface. The basketmay then be lifted out from the solution and immersed in hot water forrinsing, after which it is merely necessary to wipe the articles 'torender them both bright and clean.

Where articles are badly tarnished the electrolytic decomposition willproduce a corresponding coating with corrosion of the surface of theelectrode which would destroy further electrolytic action. This defectmay be quickly remedied by springing out the clips F, removing thebottom plate D and securing the latter with an abrasive material such assand paper or by rubbing it With an acid solution such as lemon juice.

- It is not necessary to clean the entire basket metal, the bottom ofsaid basket being dc tachable and formed of a fiat plate of the samemetal, and means integral with said container for locking'saidplate-from accidental disengagement.

2. An apparatus for cleaning and removing tarnish from metals,comprisinga'basket or container having ledges or shoulders extendinginward therefrom, and a' detachable bottom plate resting upon saidledges or shoulders, both elementsbeing formed of the sameelectro-positive meta- 3. An apparatus for cleaning and removing tarnishfrom metals, comprising a basket or container having perforated sidewalls and ledges or shoulders extending inward therefrom, a perforatedbottom plate resting upon said ledges or shoulders, and a spring clipstruck up from a portion of the side for retaining said bottom platefrom disengagement, all being formed of the same electro-positive metal.

4. An apparatus for cleaningand removing tarnish from metals, comprisinga basket or container having perforated sides with inwardly extendingledges or shoulders, handles secured to and extending 'upward beyondsaid sides, a detachable bottom plate resting upon said ledges orshoulders, and spring clips struck out from the opposite sides forholding said bottom plate from ac-. cidental disengagement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MARSHALL H. KEYT.

Witnesses:

WM. BELKNAI, JAMES P. BARRY.

